Changing a contact name on your iPhone under iOS 17 is a breeze. Simply open the Contacts app, select the contact you wish to rename, tap on their name, and edit it to your heart’s content. After you’ve made the change, hit “Done” and voilà, your contact has a new name.
After you’ve changed a contact’s name, all future calls, texts, or emails from them will show up with the new name you’ve assigned. This makes it easier to recognize who’s contacting you at a glance.
You can also check out this video about how to change contact name on iPhone for more info.
Introduction
Let’s talk about something we’ve all had to deal with at some point – managing our contacts on our iPhones. Whether it’s that one friend who has a new nickname every week or a recent change in a family member’s marital status, keeping your contact list current can be a bit of a chore. But fear not, changing a contact’s name on an iPhone running iOS 17 is simpler than you might think, and it’s a task that’s relevant to pretty much anyone with an iPhone.
After all, what good is a phone if you can’t immediately identify who’s trying to get in touch with you? Plus, it’s always nice to have a tidy and accurate contact list. So, whether you’re a tech newbie or a seasoned iPhone user, stick around to learn how to master your contacts list.
Related: iOS 17: How to Block Contact on iPhone – A Step-by-Step Guide
Step by Step Tutorial: Changing Contact Name on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, understand that by following these instructions, you’re going to make someone’s name appear differently on your iPhone. This could mean correcting a typo or updating their name to reflect a recent change.
Step 1: Open the Contacts App
Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
When you tap on the Contacts app, you’ll be taken to your entire list of saved contacts. If you don’t see the app right away, swipe down from the middle of your home screen and type “Contacts” in the search bar that appears.
Step 2: Select the Contact
Find and select the contact whose name you want to change.
You can scroll through your contacts or use the search bar at the top to find the person you’re looking for quickly.
Step 3: Tap on the Contact’s Name
Tap on the contact’s name to open their information page.
Once you’ve found the contact, tapping on their name will bring up all their details, including phone numbers, email addresses, and more.
Step 4: Edit the Name
Tap on the “edit” option in the top right corner, then tap on the name to edit it.
After tapping “edit,” you’ll be able to change the contact’s first name, last name, and even add a nickname if you want.
Step 5: Tap “Done”
After changing the name, tap “Done” to save your changes.
Make sure you’re happy with the new name before you tap “Done,” as this will finalize the change.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Improved Contact Recognition | Changing a contact’s name helps you identify who’s calling or messaging you more quickly, especially if you’ve saved them under a name that’s more familiar to you. |
| Better Organization | Keeping your contact list up-to-date and organized makes it easier to find people when you need to. |
| Personalization | Editing contact names allows you to personalize your contact list, making it feel more ‘you’. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Potential Confusion | If you change a contact’s name to something too vague or personal, you might forget who it actually is in the long run. |
| Syncing Issues | If you have your contacts synced across multiple devices, changing a name on one device might not update it on the others, leading to inconsistencies. |
| Mistakes in Urgency | In emergency situations, having a contact saved under a nickname could cause confusion for someone else trying to help. |
Video About Contact Names
Additional Information
Now that we’ve walked through the main steps, let’s consider some extra tidbits of information. For starters, remember that if you sync your contacts with iCloud, any changes you make will be updated across all of your Apple devices. That’s pretty neat, right? However, if you are someone who prefers to keep their business and personal contacts separate, consider creating groups within your Contacts app to maintain that distinction.
Additionally, keep in mind that this process is for changing names only – if you want to edit a contact’s phone number or email address, that’s a different procedure. Lastly, if you’re a stickler for organization, you might want to periodically review your contacts for any necessary updates. It’s a good habit to get into, like spring cleaning for your digital life!
Summary
- Open the Contacts app.
- Select the contact to rename.
- Tap on the contact’s name.
- Edit the name.
- Tap “Done” to save changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the contact name doesn’t save?
Ensure you’ve tapped “Done” to save the changes. If it still doesn’t work, try restarting your iPhone.
Can I add a nickname instead of changing the full name?
Yes, there’s an option to add a nickname in the contact’s edit menu.
Will changing a contact’s name affect my text message history with them?
No, your message history will remain intact but will display the new name.
What happens if I have the same contact saved multiple times with different names?
You might want to merge these contacts to avoid confusion. This can be done in the Contacts app as well.
Can I change the contact name for someone else on my shared contact list?
Only if you have editing permissions for that shared contact list.
Conclusion
Remember, your iPhone is as unique as you are, and how you organize it should suit your lifestyle and preferences. Changing a contact name on your iPhone using iOS 17 is not only simple but also can make your digital life a little more streamlined.
Whether it’s for clarity, organization, or a bit of personal flair, updating your contacts ensures your communication stays up to date and relevant. So go ahead, give “Mom” her rightful title, and let your phone reflect your world accurately.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.